Nursing BSN

The Traditional BSN pre-licensure option is offered in an in-person format and requires full-time study. To be considered for entry into the Traditional BSN Program, individuals must first be accepted to UMSL as an undergraduate student. Upon acceptance, students should work with their College of Nursing Academic Advisor to develop an individualized plan of study.

Admission to UMSL does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Clinical Major. All applicants are placed in Pre-Nursing at the time of admission. Clinical spaces are competitive, and the College of Nursing administratively moves students from Pre-Nursing to Nursing (Clinical Major) based on cumulative GPA, successful completion of program prerequisite coursework, and available space.

Students who have been dismissed from another nursing program will need to meet the admission requirements and provide a letter of good standing from the Dean of the previous nursing program.

All undergraduate nursing students must have access to transportation to their clinical practice experiences. Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical agencies, which may be scheduled throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, including Jefferson County and Illinois. Students who must use public transportation must inform their Program Director.

Admission Criteria: Pre-Nursing

First-time freshmen and transfer applicants who meet the following minimum criteria will be placed in the Pre-Nursing major.

• Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Undergraduate Application
• For first-time freshman applicants, a minimum high school GPA of 2.75
• For transfer applicants, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 

Admission Criteria: Traditional Nursing Major

• Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Undergraduate Application
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Satisfactory completion of all general education course requirements
• Grade of B- or higher within 5 years of enrollment in the clinical major for the following courses: Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology
• Grade of C+ or higher in all prerequisite courses except in the case of the above-listed science courses

General Education Course Requirements

Nursing majors must complete all general education requirements and graduation requirements of the university as outlined in this Bulletin.

Nursing Pre-Major Required Courses

The following courses are required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and will fulfill a general education requirement.  The admission section for this degree lists grade and time-limit restrictions for pre-major courses. 

Nursing Major Courses

Non-Missouri Missouri Residents

Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (Pass/Fail) Grading

Undergraduate nursing majors may not take required prerequisite general education or nursing courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Credit by Transfer Examination

Credit may be granted for selected general studies. Please contact an advisor for information.   

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will:

• Integrate evidence-based concepts from nursing, the arts, sciences, and humanities to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of settings.
• Integrate clinical judgment into professional practice.
• Administer culturally competent, compassionate, holistic care to promote healthy outcomes and health equity for diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations.
• Apply knowledge of health care policies and the impact on health care access and quality within healthcare systems.
• Use effective communication to enhance relationships with individuals, families, communities, and populations and collaboration among members of the healthcare team.
• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions based on professional intrapersonal values, ethics and legal obligations, standards of practice, social justice, and economics.
• Demonstrate initiative and self-direction in activities that contribute to personal, professional, and intellectual development.
• Integrate principles of quality care, patient safety, and health education when organizing, coordinating, and engaging in professional nursing practice across the healthcare continuum.

Sample Four Year Plan

The Four-Year Plan of Study listed below represents the new TBSN curriculum starting in Fall 2026. Students should work with their Academic Advisor to determine their individualized plan of study. Four Year plans for each catalog year prior to Fall 2026 can be found in the Archives Section.

PLEASE NOTE: This plan is an example of what an academic plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor. All requirements are subject to change.